Leadership

Every time I hear successful leaders speak about their journey it leaves me inspired and challenged to press on. Their battles,victories,and willingness to break through the mediocre to see change that effects the future generations empowers me in my own journey as a leader.
Just spent the day listening to Gordon Moore who now leads a CCC church in Brisbane of 2500 people . He originally came out of this region [Palmerston North] and was leading youth initiatives in this city about the same time I got saved.He moved to Ausie,pioneered a new church with 6 people and now leads this large church while being the national director of CCC Australia-amazing what comes out of little Palmy !
He outlined why most churches don't get beyond 200 people and suggested it had most to do with leadership culture.
He shared that churches up to 200 members [general observation by him and international research findings] was that these churches [85% of churches in the western world are smaller than 200 members] are built and led around a 'ministry' model.This ministry model is based around preaching,teaching,pastoral care,couselling,seving,worship etc.This builds up individuals giving them care and preaching encouragement. However churches that grow beyond the 200 level have had to embrace a 'leadership' model and culture that is committed to 'building the church corporate', taking the individual parts and building them into the whole.This type of leadership is committed to corporate direction,vision casting,team building,and structures to facilitate growth through an empowering style of leadership.
The challenge for most leaders he explained was that we and our people are usually content with a 'ministry' model that keeps individuals at the core . The idea and mindset by many that small churches are better keeps this smaller church model in safe hands. He has observed that the key values and mindset of people who want small churches are:

1-Everyone is involved-in everything .All contributions are welcomed even if it is not at a high level.All good churches should have this happening [pastoral care,involvement etc] but only as a part of the whole and not as the whole.

2- Everyone is informed-about everything.All believe they have a right to have a say.The colour of the building to the youth leaders salary are known by all,it is everyone's right!

3-Everyone is an influence-even when not gifted for it'. The worship team is a arena where the unskilled and un-called find themselves influencing the whole church.Give it a go mentality prevails.

4-Everyone is gifted by God-Arising out of the charismatic movement a theology and practice arose that all have gifts and abilities therefore all have the right to exercise that right.

These I realised are observations I also come across as I travel and minister across this nation.

The cost and capacity to lead people beyond the 'ministry'level left me very challenged.

On the other hand Gordon observed that leaders who have taken churches beyond the 'ministry' level have learnt they have to move into a 'leadership mindset' that becomes more specialised,empowers the right people,is architectural and reflective in practice,giving its energy to building the 'big picture'.The cost of this appears to be too great for most as being 'mates' and 'peers' with all holds a greater value and cultural influence on us than we may realise.
To order Gordon's small book email glogal@c3bd.com.

My style and ministry culture are different from Gordon's but his insights and journey of faith,persistance and willingness to believe in the power of leadership to empower churches into significant growth left me inspired.

Thanks Gordon-your journey has left me encouraged and expectant.Thanks for paying the cost.